What I love most about a bundt cake is that, when done right, they are the perfect combination of moist, dense, melt in your mouth cake that packs a big punch of flavor into a highly satisfying small slice. This recipe for Chocolate Kahlua Cake is so delicious – it’s one that has been in my family for decades. Kahlua is a sweet liquor, perfect for pairing with desserts, and it has a yummy coffee flavor that adds depth to this cake. You can always swap out the alcohol with straight coffee or espresso – the distinctly delicious flavor of this chocolatey boozy bundt cake will be a tad different, but will still result in an easy to bake fantastic chocolate cake!
The Family Story
I met my husband in college; neither of us had a car or a dollar to our name. We ate spaghetti noodles for dinner and rode our bikes between campus, the beach, and the grocery store. Oh, the memories of riding our bikes to the grocery store, trying to ride back to his apartment while balancing grocery bags and bundles of firewood on the handlebars. We studied for hours in the campus coffee shop and made chocolate cream pie at his apartment. There was always money for chocolate cream pie.
After that first year, I returned home for the summer, but traveled the 500 miles down to see him for his birthday in July. I was still without a car, but I was determined to make him a surprise birthday cake. I wanted to make him the chocolate Kahlua cake that my mom always made. It was a family favorite and I thought he would love it. I made the trek by foot to the grocery store while he was at work. Finally, I was ready to make the BEST chocolate cake in the history of the world. I came back to the apartment and whipped up the cake. I was feeling quite proud of myself and waited for him to get home.
The dog ate the cake. The whole entire cake. Now, you might freak out because the dog just ate an entire chocolate cake filled with an entire bag of chocolate chips, and we all know that chocolate can kill dogs. But, this was Woody. And I knew he had eaten entire boxes of See’s candy without a flinch. I went back to the grocery store and baked another cake. I didn’t have time to let the cake cool and I dumped it out of the bundt pan too soon; the cake split in half.
My husband came home from work and we had a good laugh (or did we?) about the ordeal of this first birthday cake. It may have been a mess, but it was still the best damn chocolate cake he’d ever had. We still make this cake several times a year. And that wasn’t the last chocolate cake that dog ever ate.
The Recipe
The RecipeAre you ready to start your own family tradition with this yummy boozy cake recipe? Grab your bottle of Kahlua and your 5 other simple ingredients and hop to it!
No bundt pan? No problem! Bundt cake pans are readily available in most kitchen stores – OR you can grab one off of Amazon and have it delivered right to you – this is the bundt cake pan I use.
Kahlua Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box German chocolate cake mix (w/ pudding in the mix)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup Kahlua liquor (can substitute coffee)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 16 oz. sour cream (light or fat-free is fine)
- 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except the chocolate chips and powdered sugar, and beat well.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into a well-greased bundt pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Cool for 10 minutes or until the pan can be managed with bare hands.
- Slide a spatula around the cake to loosen from the pan; carefully remove the cake to a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.
- Transfer cake to a platter.
- Dust with powdered sugar immediately before serving.
Nutrition
Notes about this cake:
- It is SO easy to mix up and pop in the oven, this is my husband’s recipe of choice when he’s baking something to take to his office for work parties and such.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, we substitute coffee or espresso for the Kahlua. It is not the same, but it is still delicious.
Tips for Cleanly Removing the Cake from the pan:
- Grease that pan really well.
- Remove the cake from the pan only once it has cooled enough to handle the pan with your bare hands.
- Once you grease the pan, you can also dust it with cocoa powder and tap the excess out of the pan – this will help release the cake from the pan while leaving behind only a hint of residue that blends with the dark color of the cake.
- I also use a tiny spatula and work it down around all the sides and as much of the top of the cake as I can before tipping the pan upside down. If some of the cake gets stuck in the pan, just use your spatula to loosen what’s left and then plunk it out on top of the rest of the cake. Once the powdered sugar is on there, no one will even notice that there’s a break in the cake. And if they do, they won’t care once they get it into their mouths!
Happy baking!
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kristin says
dangit stef, now i need this cake. looks amazing.
Charity says
My mother-in-love makes a cake almost just like this, but without the kahlua… I think she uses milk, and it is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. I don’t like using boxed mixes, but it’s worth it for that cake. =)
Laura says
Sounds amazing. I will probably make it for my bookclub ladies. Have you tried flouring your pan after greasing it? That may help it release easier.
Kelli says
I thought that too, but I didn’t want flour on the outside of a chocolate cake. So I just sprayed the pan and mine came out perfect! It was the best Bundt cake release ever. And a DELICIOUS cake!
Heather says
This looks amazing and I must try it!
Can’t wait.
Susan says
OMG!! I am going to make this for my Hubby.
Ali says
I make this wonderful cake also. My recipe calls for making it in a 9X13 pan, then frosting it with a cream cheese frosting with a Tbsp of Kahlua.
1 8oz cream cheese…room temperature
1 stick butter (don’t use margarine) room temperature
Mix those two with electric mixer till smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar till consistency you like…at least one box of powdered sugar. Finally add 1 Tbsp Kahlua and mix thoroughly. This cake is so rich it is better served cold, so I keep mine refrigerated. Awesome with a cup of coffee.
Mari says
Absolutely delicious! This was a hit at my party yesterday.
Terrie says
Made this cake exactly as written & it was absolutely scrumptious!!! Making it again for Christmas & will add more Kahlua after baking cuz I luv the stuff just that much…
Terrie says
Yep! Made this cake again for Christmas. I purchased the pint size bottle of Kahlua. This time, after cooling, I poked holes in the cake and poured the remainder of the liqueur over the cake. Even better. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Jean Jimenez says
I also make this cake, but my recipe calls for 1/2 cup chopped pecans placed in the pan before the cake mix–it helps the cake come out of the pan cleanly.
Josephine-Anne Griffiths says
Does anyone know what would be a good substitute for the Germans chocolate cake mix (with pudding)? I don’t think we have this in Australia, but I really must make this cake 🙂
girlinspired says
Hi there! I think you could probably just try it with any chocolate cake mix and see how it goes!
Chris says
Use any chocolate cake mix with pudding. If you can’t find a chocolate cake mix with pudding, get a chocolate cake mix and add 1 small box of instant chocolate pudding.
Kathy says
Although I Really want to try it with the German Chocolate Cake Mix, My recipe calls for Devils Food Cake Mix, which might be easier to find. I have been buying another Coffee-Flavored Liquor. It’s called Kamora. It’s delightfully close to the taste and quality of Kahlua, at a fraction of the price.
All I can say is “Make this Cake”! It’s very easy to make and it’s “So Delicious”, hands down👍 I get requests to make it every time that I’m invited to a gathering. Like she said, it’s important to grease the pan well first. I usually use Pam Cooking spray; however I have found that I don’t like the taste of the Butter-Flavored one.
As long as I have the Kamora out to bake with, I usually make one or two “White Russians” to enjoy while I’m cooking. Fill a glass with ice, pour in about a 1/4 glass of Vodka, add the Kamora to a little over 1/2 of the glass and top with Half and Half, Light Cream or Regular Vitamin D Milk, if you’re concerned about the fat content. Shake well and Enjoy, while you are waiting for the Amazing Cake to be done😊
Kat says
Hm. I’m going to sound like a jerk for part of this post, but stay with me. Ever since I made a cake from scratch, I haven’t gone back to box mixes. And my favorite part of German chocolate cake is the frosting. The actual cake is … meh. Bland. Dry. But… you have inspired me to take my go-to cake recipe (Hershey’s own, but with Special Dark cocoa) and use a 1/2 cup of Kahlua (also made from scratch) for part of the boiling water it calls for. Thanks! 🙂
Jen says
I just made this. It is very moist and delicious! The only thing different was my cake didn’t turn out as dark as pictured. German chocolate does not bake as dark as say devils food cake.
girlinspired says
Glad you liked the recipe. I always use Betty Crocker brand German Chocolate cake mix for this recipe.
Julie Anderson says
I’ve made a cake like this several times, but my recipe calls for yellow cake mix and chocolate pudding. Still comes out very chocolaty. Can’t wait to try this version!
Darryl Kersh says
Truly Great Recipes
Nancy Thelander says
Have made this cake since the eighties. Always a crowd pleaser. My recipe calls for Devils Food cake mix and it works well. Sometimes mix a little Kahlua and powdered sugar for a glaze although it is so rich it is good without any frosting!
Michelle says
i’ve been making this cake for 30 years.
i gave up on the bundt pan long ago…too many broken cakes and 4 letter words. LOL use a 9×13 pan now.
i use a triple chocolate fudge cake mix (i think it’s duncan hines brand) or devil’s food cake mix.
i still add a large box of chocolate fudge instant pudding to the batter, whether there is pudding in the cake mix or not.
insanely rich & chocolate!
Diane Haney says
Wow, this cake is awesome. My husband loved it also. Followed exact recipe, except used mini chocolate chips and did not use entire bag.
KareninStLouis says
I have never had difficulty getting a cake out of a Bundt pan (even notorious apple cakes), but I find you must use a genuine, nonstick NordicWare heavy cast aluminum pan, not an imitation, and not a lighter metal or other material. Grease with butter or my preference is to use vegetable spray (Pam) or Baker’s Joy . Follow recipe directions for cooling and use a butter knife to loosen outer and insides edges if needed.
Estefanía says
what a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing 🙂 .. Greetings from México 🙂
Nana pie says
I loved your story! I am mostly a pie maker but I do love to make some favorite cakes and I love making birthday cakes for people! I have ranch fresh brown eggs and it makes such a fresh difference. I am making a Kahlua cake now and your recipe helped me get the correct ratio of sour cream. I got your recipe and story off girl inspired.com. First time I have been on this site. I have just planted some zucchini so I can’t wait to make zucchini Kahlua chocolate chip cake! I try to incorporate as many veggies and healthy ingredients into my desserts. Thank-you for your inspiration. Sincerely, Nana pie!😍
Sue @ Frugal Gifts 2 Give says
I made this cake for a gathering and it’s amazing! It’s so moist and delicious! Thank you for sharing! Will continue to make this for our family! 🙂
Caroline says
I just made this cake in a pampered chef bundt cake form. i sprayed the form with Trader Joe coconut oil and used a plastic grapefruit knife to loose the sides. Cooled it for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Turned it upsides down onto a plate and not a crumb was left in the form!
Elise Russell says
I am just getting my dream Blog going and found this recipe I had saved a while back on my Personal PINTEREST account. Can hardly wait for the temps in Texas to drop where I can use my oven again and make this. Great story along with it.
Ann Chooi says
Is it alright for me to use a 8×3 square pan. I do not have a bundt pan.
girlinspired says
I’ve made the recipe into cupcakes, so I’m sure it could work – but I do think it changes that nice dense full of moisture texture that the bundt pan gives.
Andree Carlson says
Spray the pan with Baker’s Joy or Pam for Baking, let the cake cool in the pan. Turn out. No spatula needed. No broken cake.
Anyway, it’s delicious. I had to taste test before serving to the family, of course, just to make sure… Yup. It’s a winner.
Alicia says
Can’t wait to try this! Will grease the pan super well then use dark cocoa powder instead of flour on top of the grease layer- I do this with another dark fudge cake I make and it works like magic! Now to see if I have any Kahlua…
girlinspired says
Great idea!
Cheryl Demunbrun says
If you butter or grease with shortening, then use cocoa powder in place of flour, the chocolate cake should release and not have the white, dusty appearance that flour would leave.
Cheryl Demunbrun says
I am talking about cake pans, bundt or otherwise.
girlinspired says
You’re a genius!